Still closed: The LSU Student Health Center will remain closed today after a fire on June 7 caused about $1.7 million in damages, according to preliminary estimates. The university says restoration and cleanup efforts are ongoing and could last approximately six months. About 6,255 square feet of the building will be impacted during the restoration, including the section facing Infirmary Drive. Service roads on both sides of the LSU Student Health Center will be restricted through Friday, June 17, to equipment and people directly involved in the cleanup. Affected parking areas include Band Hall Service Drive, Band Hall B Lot and Chimes Street Hart Lot. The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to a fire, the cause of which is unknown, at the health center on Thursday night.
Nominations sought: Nominations are being accepted through June 30 for the Louisiana 2016 Cox Conserves Heroes program. Launched by Cox Communications in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, the program recognizes volunteers working to create, enhance and preserve outdoor space in Cox’s services areas in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Acadiana. A panel of conservationists and environmental leaders will select three finalists for Louisiana’s 2016 Cox Conserves Hero. The winner will be selected in late August through an online public voting process. A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the winner and finalists. Get more information.
Not much: The state only raised $31,100 in bonus revenue from its June 8 sale of mineral leases. The Louisiana Mineral and Energy Board awarded only three leases covering 173 acres, with nominated tracts covering just over 4,657 acres. The leases awarded are in Acadia, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and St. Martin parishes. To date, the state has collected a total of $5.5 million in bonus payments in fiscal year 2015-16. Last fiscal year, the board collected $14 million in bonus payments and more than $432.9 million in royalties.
